Ovie Okpare, Warri
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State said the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari from ill health and his subsequent return from London where he had gone to for medical vacation, was worth celebrating by all Nigerians.
The governor also called on Nigerians to promote what would unite the country rather than vices that would either destroy or divide it.
Okowa stated this on Sunday during an inter-denominational anniversary thanksgiving service to mark the 26th years of the creation of the state at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Asaba, the state capital.
Speaking at the church service, the governor admonished Nigerians to stop wishing Buhari dead, saying that his return was worth celebrating.
Okowa said, “We must be cautious of the statement we make because, the unity of this country is what all of us must work to sustain; we must learn to partner ourselves and engage in actions that will deepen our love for one another.
“We thank God for the return of Mr. President to the country, death is not a thing that one can wish any one and the return of President Buhari deserves to be celebrated. Nigerians have come to realise that it is better for us to remain united as a people.”
The governor, who also expressed joy at the returned of peace to the creeks of the state, added that there was every reason for the people to celebrate the creation of the state 26 years ago.
He said, “As a people, as a state and as a government, we have every reason to celebrate because, if not for any other reason, from August last year when we marked our silver jubilee to this year, there is reasonable restoration of peace especially in our creeks where there is no longer destruction of pipelines.
“Though the impact of the peace that has returned to the creeks may not have been felt in our economy, because, the state did also suffer from the effect of consistent low price of oil for more than 38 months. We were not just affected by the price going down and the quantum produced but, there is hope that it will be better.”
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